4-5
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Workshop on the Facilitation of the Exchange of Safety Management Systems and Safety Technologies
Focal point: Sergiusz Ludwiczak,
Tel: 917 3174

The workshop is being held within the framework of the Conference of the Parties to the UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents. It is expected to provide input to the discussions of the Conference of the Parties which will hold its meeting on 6-8 November.

4 (am)

Executive Committee of the Working Group of Senior Officials "Environment for Europe"
Focal point: Mary Pat Silveira, Tel: 917 1315

Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/efe/welcome.html

4 (pm)-6

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Focal point: Christina von Schweinichen, Tel: 917 23 88

Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/cep/9thsession.html

4-6

Ad Hoc Meeting on the Convention on Civil Liability for Damage caused during the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, Rail and Inland Navigation Vessels (CRTD)
Focal point: O. Sid'Ahmed, Tel: 917 24 21

The Ad Hoc Meeting will consider the main obstacles to the entry into force of the CRTD: scope of the CRTD Convention, limits of financial liability and other CRTD articles that would need to be amended. Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/ac8/ac8age.html

4-8

Working Party on the Transport of Dangerous Goods
Focal point: Olivier Kervella, Tel: 917 24 56

The Working Party will discuss proposals of amendments to Annexes A and B of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road mainly related to the construction and approval of vehicles intended for the carriage of dangerous goods and to safety in road tunnels. WP.15 will also discuss matters related to the security of the transport of dangerous goods. Web site: www.unece.org/trans/main/dgdb/wp15/wp15age.html

6-8
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Conference of the Parties to the UNECE Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, Second Meeting
Focal point: Sergiusz Ludwiczak,
Tel: 917 31 74

This is the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Key issues on the agenda include the strengthening of the implementation of the Convention, assistance to some countries in acceding and implementing the Convention, safety technology exchange, progress in the negotiation process to draw up a new legally binding instrument on civil liability for transboundary damage caused by industrial accidents and prevention of accidental water pollution. Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/teia/doc.htm#second

6-8
Sitges, Spain

Joint Expert Group on Dynamic Modelling
Focal point: Radovan Chrast, Tel: 917 23 58

6-8
Radenci, Slovenia

International Conference on Global Tourism and Entrepreneurship in the CEI Region
Focal point: Antal Szab, Tel: 917 24 71

The purpose of the conference is to present the entrepreneurial approach in marketing the tourist products in the Central European countries as well as in the countries of the European Union, in the sense of support of the national, regional and local subjects of the entrepreneurial development. The Conference is organized by the Slovenian Government in cooperation with the EC, UNECE, World Tourism Organization and OECD. Detailed programme and registration form are available at http://www.pcmg.si/pcmg/eindex.htm

7-8

Working Group of Senior Officials "Environment for Europe"
Focal point: Mary Pat Silveira, Tel: 917 1315

Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/wgso/index_wgsoandexecom.htm

7-9
Bucharest, Romania

European Regional Preparatory Meeting for the World Summit on the Information Society
Focal point: Hlne Tzico, Tel: 917 36 67

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) will bring together Heads of States, Executive Heads of UN Agencies, industry leaders and NGOs to develop a better understanding of the ICT revolution and its impact on the international community, in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis in 2005.
The Pan-European Ministerial Conference in Bucharest is one of the most important preparatory conferences to the WSIS: it will focus on concrete issues of relevance for the region.
The Conference aims at strengthening the relations of cooperation between the participating States with a view to adopting a common action plan in the field of communications and information technology. National strategies, best practices and challenges will be presented, to help the participants to have an accurate view of the stage in the transition process to Information Society as well as an opportunity to develop a platform for dialogue.
Organized with the support of the ITU and the UNECE, the event in Bucharest will comprise a wide range of meetings, plenary sessions, seminars, round tables and presentations that will offer the guests the opportunity to rise pressing questions as regards current and future tendencies in the domain. 
More information is available on the following web sites: www.wsis-romania.ro or www.itu.int

9
Bucharest, Romania

UNECE Side Event on E-Policy and E-Regulation in Transition Economies at the WSIS Pan-European Regional Conference
Focal point: Daewon Choi, Tel: 917 24 74

This workshop provides a synthesis of the discussions undertaken by the UNECE on e-Policy and e-Regulatory Framework for the Information Society at the national, regional and global levels. It aims to contribute to the WSIS 2003 by summarizing main issues currently being addressed at the global fora, explore major implications for the Pan-European region and underline future directions capitalizing on recommendations put forward by regional and international experts. The debate also aims to understand how to establish enabling legal environment for the Information Society by means of appropriate regulatory approach taking into full consideration new technology development and the regional context.

11

Administrative Committee for the Coordination of Work (WP.29/AC.2)
Focal point: Jan Jerie, Tel: 917 24 22

The 80th session of WP.29/AC.2 is scheduled to consider the programme of work of WP.29 and of its six subsidiary bodies and give its advice concerning work to be undertaken.

11-13

Working Group on Civil Liability and Industrial Accidents
Focal points: Rainer Enderlein,
Tel: 917 23 73, & Sergiusz Ludwiczak, Tel. 917 31 74

Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/civil-liability/welcome.html

11-13
Bern, Switzerland

Workshop on Empirical Critical Loads for Nitrogen Deposition on (Semi-) Natural Ecosystems
Focal point: Radovan Chrast, Tel: 917 23 58

11-14

Working Party on the Transport of Perishable Foodstuffs
Focal point: O. Sid'Ahmed, Tel: 917 24 21

The Working Party will discuss proposals of amendments to the Agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuff and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage (ATP), the revision of Annex 1 to the ATP and a draft of the ATP Handbook. Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp11.html

12-15

World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29)
Focal point: Jan Jerie, Tel: 917 24 22

The 128th session of WP.29 will continue consideration of the worldwide harmonization on technical prescriptions of wheeled vehicles and their trailers. It will also consider a range of amendments to UNECE Regulations related to vehicle engine emissions and active and passive safety of vehicles. Website: select WP.29 in http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp29.htm

13-15
Skopje,
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Central European Initiative (CEI) Summit Economic Forum
Focal point: Gianluca Sambucini,
Tel: 917 11 75

As parallel event of the meetings of the CEI Heads of Government and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 17 CEI member States, the CEI Summit Economic Forum 2002 will bring together the business community, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, government representatives, regional organizations, financial institutions, European and international organizations to debate on how to invest in European cooperation. Presentation of concrete project proposals and a match-making system for project ideas will be one of the services of the Forum. The UNECE is co-organizer of this Forum and prepared the main written contribution: "Investiguide".
Information material on the Commission will be available at the UNECE exhibition stand.

14-15

Ad Hoc Group of Experts on the Harmonization of Energy Reserves/ Resources Terminology
Focal point: Slav Slavov, Tel: 917 24 44

The Ad Hoc Group of Experts should carry out a methodology for evaluating the energy reserves/resources (petroleum, natural gas, coal and uranium) on a common basis. This methodology will be used by all countries worldwide when providing information for the purpose of the WEC Survey on Reserves/Resources.

18-19

High-level Task Force on Valuation and Capitalization of Intellectual Assets
Focal point: Andrei Maevski, Tel: 917 32 96

The first meeting aims at identifying the most important challenges and obstacles faced by the public and private sectors of the member States in their efforts to effectively utilize intellectual assets to the benefit of development and social progress and, therefore, to sustain the innovation process. It also aims at enabling members of the Task Force to set up work priorities.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/operact/enterp/taskf.htm

18-22

Ad Hoc Working Group on the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment
Focal point: Wiek Schrage, Tel: 917 24 48

This meeting is expected to finalize the Protocol to be adopted at the Kiev Ministerial Conference (May 2003). Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/eia

18-22

Meetings on Sustainable Energy

18-19 (am)

Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Coal and Thermal Power
Focal point: Charlotte Griffiths, Tel: 917 1988

The fifth session of the Ad Hoc Group of Experts will assess the status of coal industry restructuring in the transitional economies, with particular emphasis on economic and social impacts. Technological innovations for reducing greenhouse gases from the use of coal as an energy source will also be discussed, together with coal's role in sustainable development, particularly in the light of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Web site: http://www.unece.org/energy/nrghome.html

19

Task Force on Reforming Energy Prices for Sustainable Development
Focal points: Mikhail Kokine, Tel. 917 23 47 & Slav Slavov, Tel: 917 24 44

A joint Environment/Energy Group to elaborate guidelines to policy making on (a) adapting energy prices in transition countries to market level; and (b) gradual removal of energy subsidies. Development of guidelines on reforming energy prices and subsidies as a joint contribution by the Committees on Sustainable Energy and on Environmental Policy to the Kiev Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" (May 2003).
Web site http://www.unece.org/env/europe/energy_conservation.htm

19 (pm)

Joint Workshop on Carbon Sequestration - Pathway to a Sustainable Future for Fossil Fuels in a Carbon Constrained World
Focal point: Charlotte Griffiths, Tel: 917 1988

This Workshop, via a panel of expert speakers, will provide a basic introduction to carbon sequestration, together with an overview of the current status of international collaborative efforts to develop carbon sequestration technologies. Carbon sequestration offers significant potential to reduce greenhouse gases from fossil fuel use at costs and impacts that are economically and environmentally acceptable - as such, an assessment of the current costs and economic considerations will also be provided. Web site: http://www.unece.org/energy/nrghome.html

20-22 (am)

COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
Focal point: Frederic Romig, Tel: 917 24 07

This annual session includes a Round Table on Energy Security with the Secretary General of OPEC; energy price reforms, a review of technical assistance, networking and Internet applications and follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). Also see Sustainable Energy at www.unece.org.

21 (pm)

Energy Efficiency 21 Project - European Commission SAVE Programme E-GRIDS Project
Focal point: Sead Vilogorac, Tel. 917 24 62

In relation to the annual session of the Committee on Sustainable Energy the results of this joint UNECE - European Commission project 'Enhancing Government Regulatory Energy Measures Impact and Diffusion Speed Appraisal Method' will be presented by the authors and sponsors at a special 'break out session' meeting. Also see www.ee-21.net /Library.

22 (pm)

Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Extension of European Electricity Interconnection
Focal point: Frederic Romig, Tel: 917 24 07

This annual session will review the regulatory aspects of opening up electricity markets, reliability of electric power systems in a liberalised market and developments in sub-regional interconnection in south Eastern Europe, the CIS and the Baltic states. Also see: www.unece.org /Sustainable Energy

19-22
Gothenburg, Sweden

Workshop on Level II Critical Levels for Ozone
Focal point: Radovan Chrast, Tel: 917 23 58

21-22
Paris, France

Joint UNECE/Eurostat/FAO/OECD Seminar on Agricultural Statistics: Perspectives for Agriculture and Rural Indicators and Sustainability
Focal point: Jan Karlsson, Tel: 917 32 85

The seminar will address the following issues: development of rural indicators, agro-environmental indicators, sustainable agriculture indicators, labour input and productivity, indicators of a changing agriculture and income and green accounts. The seminar is expected to agree upon continued joint work by international organizations in setting up core sets of indicators in the above-mentioned areas.

25-26

Ad Hoc Multidisciplinary Group on Experts on Safety in Tunnels (Rail)
Focal points: Helmut Lehmacher, Tel. 917 24 34 & Miodrag Pesut, Tel. 917 41 36

The Group will continue its work towards formulating the Recommendations on safety in railway tunnels.
Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/ac9/ac9age.html

25-27

Working Party on Transport Statistics, 53rd session
Focal point: Miroslav Jovanovic,
Tel: 917 24 93

The Working Party on Transport Statistics will review the actions taken since its previous session in 2001 and consider in this connection the following items:

- the results of the Intersecretariat Working Group on Transport Statistics (ECE, ECMT, Eurostat);
- methodological development and harmonization of transport statistics including such questions as harmonization of transport and environment statistics, urban and regional transport statistics, statistics on the transport of dangerous goods, road traffic accident statistics, etc.;
- revision of classification systems used in transport statistics;
- development of price and quantity indices in transport;
- traffic censuses in the ECE region.

Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp6/wp6.html

25-28
Bishkek, Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Project Working Group "Energo" - 10th session; Project "Rational and efficient use of energy and water recourses in Central Asia"
Focal point: Evgeniy Nadezhdin,
Tel: 917 13 90

A first version of the Strategy on Rational and Efficient Use of Energy and Water Resources in Central Asia will be discussed. Report on creating Energy and Water Efficiency Demonstration Zones in the cities of Bishkek and Almaty will be presented. A preliminary agenda of the session is available.

25-29

Working Group on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers
Focal point: Jeremy Wates, Tel: 917 23 84

27-29

Working Party on Road Traffic Safety - Fortieth (special) Session
Focal points: Marie-Nolle Poirier,
Tel: 917 32 59 & Christopher Smith,
Tel. 917 32 98

The Working Party will continue examination of proposals to amend the Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic and on Road Signs and Signals and the European Agreements supplementing them with the aim of transmitting a final package of amendment proposals to the Secretary-General in 2003. Particular issues to be dealt with include the definition of mopeds and motorcycles, driving permits, safety in tunnels, visibility and legibility of road signs and road markings and driving while under the influence of alcohol. The Working Party will also discuss the Fourth Road Safety Week in the ECE Region which will be held from 5-11 April 2004 around the theme of aggressive road behaviour. Web site: http://www.unece.org/trans/roadsafe/wp1age.html

28-29

Ad Hoc Working Group on Environmental Monitoring
Focal point: Mikhail Kokine, Tel: 917 23 47

Consideration of draft chapters of the 3rd pan-European state of the environment report ("Kiev Assessment") and development of recommendations on environmental assessment and reporting for the Kiev Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe". Web site: http://www.unece.org/env/europe/

28-29
Bishkek, Republic of Kyrgyzstan

Regional Coordinating Committee of the Special Programme for Economies in Central Asia (SPECA), 4th session
Focal point: Peter Tsyba, Tel: 917 58 26

Results of the SPECA implementation in 2002 and plan for its realization in 2003 will be discussed. A preliminary agenda of the session is available.